AOC wore $450 earrings and $614 shoes to complete 'Tax the Rich' look at Met Gala
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was branded a hypocrite after mingling with the rich and famous at the Met Gala on Monday, September 13, while wearing a 'Tax the Rich' gown with a host of lavish freebies she received for the evening.
The 31-year-old congresswoman, who has grabbed headlines time and again, made waves across the internet after she was photographed at the 2021 Met Gala in her white gown emblazoned with the words “Tax the Rich” in giant red letters at the back. Ocasio-Cortez sparked quite the uproar on social media over her apparent hypocrisy, considering she has been a firebrand against income equality for the longest time.
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Ocasio-Cortez wore a luxurious custom-made gown designed by Aurora James that was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. She coupled the outfit with multiple pieces from the fine jewelry brand Mejuri. According to the designer's website, the minimalistic 14-karat gold hoop earrings are valued at $450, while the matching ring from the brand's Dome collection is worth $65.
The New York congresswoman also accessorized with a purse designed by James — who founded the fashion line Brother Vellies — with a smaller 'Tax the Rich' slogan in white letters on red. She completed the ensemble with open-toed red shoes with long up-the-leg laces, square toes, and bright flowers along the heels. The pair is valued at around $614, per the brand's website.
The Democrat politician claimed her dress was borrowed from James to "kick open the doors" at the elite event, albeit the outfit appeared to be rather form-fitted and customized for her. Taking to Instagram, Ocasio-Cortez hailed New York-based James as a "sustainably focused, Black woman immigrant designer who went from starting her dream… at a flea market in Brooklyn to winning @cfda against all odds."
"The Met Gala is seen as elite and inaccessible," she told a Vogue reporter at the event. "As a working-class woman, [I] wanted to... to break the fourth wall and challenge the industry." However, AOC, with her flashy accessories and custom gown, sparking a wave of criticism. She responded to the same on Instagram, claiming she had been invited to the event as an elected official.
"Before haters get wild flying off the handle, New York elected officials are routinely invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing and supporting the city's cultural institutions for the public," she said. "I was one of several in attendance in this evening."
The congresswoman doubled down saying her appearance at the Met Gala had boosted Google searches about "our f**ked up tax code." She wrote on Instagram, "Surge in people looking up and discussing our f**ked up tax code is and how we fix it so we can fund childcare, healthcare, climate action and student loan forgiveness for all? Aurora James understood the assignment."
The socialist firebrand, who attended the event with her boyfriend Riley Roberts, claimed she was "invited" to the event, but wouldn't disclose if anyone paid for her. According to the Daily Mail, Conde Nast does not usually issue complimentary passes for anyone, and stars are mostly invited to sit on a donor's table that has been paid for.